Armenoid race
The Armenoid or Assyroid race in physical anthropology is a subtype of the Caucasian race.[1]
Origin, distribution and physiognomy
The countries of the northern part of Western Asia, namely Anatolia (Turkey), Transcaucasia and Mesopotamia (Iraq) are the center of distribution [of the Armenoid Race].[2]
Carleton S. Coon wrote that the racial type in question is very similar to the Dinaric race; the only difference is that Armenoids have a slightly darker pigmentation, most probably due to racial mixture with the Mediterraneans (who have olive skin) and the Alpines (who have brown skin). He described the Armenoid as a sub-race of the Caucasoid race.
Armenoids were said to be found throughout Eurasia. However, the largest concentrations occurred within Asia Minor, Transcaucasia and Mesopotamia. Known as the "true" Caucasians, Armenoids were relatively tall, usually with medium to dark brown or black hair, light to medium skin colour, large round eyes that were usually brown; a round, brachycephalic head shape with a straight backing (planocciput) (see Cephalic index), high cheekbones and non-prominent chins. Lips were full, and noses were sometimes aquiline. Large minority of Armenoids have blond hair and blue, green, or hazel eyes. This racial type was believed to be prevalent among the Armenians, Assyrians, Georgians and Iraqis.[3][4] It was also an element in Southern Europe. Armenoid was also identified as the dominant type of the indigenous Semitic groups of Syria and Mesopotamia: the ancient Amorites,[5] the modern Assyrians and Chaldeans, the religious minorities of Lebanon and Syria, and the Lebanese and Syrians of mountainous regions were all identified as being of the Armenoid type.[6][7]
Renato Biasutti described the Armenoid race as having: "Opaque-white skin, brunet hair and eyes, abundant pilosity; medium stature (166), sturdy body build; wide head with rounded occiput (87); very long face, straight and narrow nose (57) with high bridge; thin lips, narrow eye opening."[8]
It has long been believed by physical anthropologists that the quintessence of Near Eastern brachycephaly is to be found in the Armenians; the racial term Armenoid being named for them. The Armenians have long been established in the territory which is now only partly theirs; they had, before the arrival of the Turks, a powerful kingdom, which covered most of the territory between the Gulf of Alexandretta and the Caucasus.[9]
See also
References
- ^ Ripley, William Z. (1899). The Races of Europe: A Sociological Study. D. Appleton & Company. p. 444.
- ^ Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (1964). "Russian Translation Series". Vol. 2: 42.
{{cite journal}}:|volume=has extra text (help); Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Fisher, William B. (2003). The Middle East and North Africa, Volume 50. Routledge. p. 444. ISBN 9781857431841.
The northern and eastern hill districts [of Iraq] contain many racial elements—Turkish, Persian, and proto-Nordic, with Armenoid strains predominating. [..] the population of the riverine districts of Iraq displays a mixture of Armenoid and Mediterranean elements. North of the Baghdad district the Armenoid strain is dominant.
- ^ Fisher, William B. (1966). The Middle East: A Physical, Social and Regional Geography. Methuen. p. 96. ISBN 9780416715101.
Armenoid affinities are easily discerned in the peoples of northern and central Iraq.
- ^ Hitti, Philip K. (2002). History of Syria: including Lebanon and Palestine, Volume 1. Gorgias Press. p. 76. ISBN 193195660X.
- ^ Review: An Introduction to the Anthropology of the Near East by C. U. Ariëns Kappers, American Anthropologist, 37(35) - Pages 148-49 by W.M. Krogman
- ^ Hourani, Albert H. (1946). Syria and Lebanon: A Political Essay. Oxford University Press. p. 96.
- ^ http://dienekes.110mb.com/texts/biasutticaucasoid/
- ^ The Races of Europe by Carleton Stevens Coon - (Chapter XII, section 18)
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